Cruelty to wild animals can take many forms and is often not obvious to the casual viewer. Many of the worst examples – elephant riding, civet coffee tours, for example – are commonly offered to tourists in the countries in which they take place and might appear to be traditional aspects of their cultures. What this list […]
Tag: zoos
A Troubling Rise in the Grisly Trade of a Spectacular African Bird
In late August the Nigeria Program of the Wildlife Conservation Society received photos of primate and bird parts recently seized by the Nigerian Customs Service in Oron, a small port city in southeastern Nigeria, some 20 miles from the border with Cameroon. The images showed 11 blackened ape heads — a gorilla and 10 chimpanzees […]
Seven Lions to Be Euthanized in New Zealand Sparks Outrage Over Captive Wildlife
A heartbreaking decision by the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary in New Zealand has reignited global debate over the ethics of keeping animals in captivity. According to CBS News, the sanctuary announced it would euthanize seven elderly lions after running into financial trouble and failing to find alternative homes for them. The big cats, aged between 18 […]
Denmark Zoo Sparks Outrage Over Request for Pet Donations as Predator Food
According to the Associated Press, Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark is under fire after publicly asking people to Donate their unwanted small pets—such as guinea pigs, rabbits, and chickens—to be euthanized and fed to captive predators. The zoo claimed in a Facebook post that the practice was intended to reflect the “natural food chain” and […]
Costa Rica Outlaws State Zoos, Relocating Hundreds of Animals
In a historic move, Costa Rica has decided to close its two remaining state zoos, marking a significant step in its commitment to wildlife Conservation. The decision, announced by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Environment and Energy, comes over a decade after the country passed a law prohibiting the captivity of wild animals in government-run facilities. […]
Widespread Breaches in European Zoos Highlighted by British Wildlife Group
The Aspinall Foundation, a charity based in Kent, reported more than 3,000 violations of standards set by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) over an 18-month investigation. This investigation covered 29 different zoos across 12 European countries. The EAZA, with 308 member institutions including numerous UK zoos, aims to ensure its members uphold […]
Interesting Animals to Watch at the Zoo
Have you ever visited a zoo only to find that all the animals are sleeping or inside their shelters? Visiting early in the morning is a good way to help ensure the animals are active and awake, but nothing will guarantee active animals. However, no matter when you visit or what the weather is like, […]
New research suggests, zoos and aquariums in Canada do little to protect endangered creatures in the wild.
A study published in the Canadian journal, Facets recently, begins positively enough. It acknowledges that the thirty Canadian zoos and aquariums represented by CAZA, a private, non-profit charity, do try to be leaders in researching this field. And, they do take part in programs aimed at species survival by breeding animals in captivity, then re-introducing […]